PFN picks RB Jonathan Taylor as Colts bounce-back candidate

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 31: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Pro Football Network selected one bounce-back candidate for each team ahead of the 2024 season, and for the Indianapolis Colts, they selected running back Jonathan Taylor.

After leading the league in rushing during the 2021 season with 1,811 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, Taylor has dealt with injuries the last two seasons, appearing in only 21 games during that span.

Despite missing the first four games last season, Taylor would still rush for 741 yards and seven touchdowns, which included a very impressive Week 18 performance against Houston where he went for 188 yards.

Now fully healthy this offseason--and with his contract situation sorted out--Taylor is "feeling great," and GM Chris Ballard believes that he is in store for a "really big year."

The fact that Taylor is healthy this offseason gives him a huge leg up over where he was last summer. As Taylor described to Colts' media members during OTAs, last season he felt like he was playing catchup for much of the year, having to repair each week rather than being able to maintain where he was at if he had come into the year healthy.

A bounce-back season for Taylor would provide a huge boost for the Colts' offense. For starters, a strong running game can be a young quarterback's best friend--keeping the offense out of predictable passing situations and helping to open up opportunities in the passing game.

In addition to that, the combination of Taylor and Anthony Richardson in the backfield should form a very dynamic duo, particularly in Shane Steichen's RPO-heavy offense, which will be another added stressor for opposing defenses. Last year, Taylor and Richardson were on the field for just two snaps together.

“To have Anthony and JT back there,” said offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, “JT has an extensive history with a lot of success, leading the league in rushing. Now we’ve got Anthony, where a defense, gosh, there may be that mesh on a run play and it’s JT going left and it’s Anthony going right, and as a defense, how do you defend that?

“You have two really explosive players that maybe have a chance to end up with the ball on a run play, how do you defend all that? It is exciting.”

The added playmaking that the Colts have at receiver with Adonai Mitchell could also help Taylor's pursuit of a bounce-back season. Another member of the passing game for defenses to be concerned with can lead to better spacing and fewer heavy boxes for Taylor to contend with.

Last October, Taylor signed a three-year, $42 million contract extension, with $19.34 million guaranteed. By average annual value, Taylor will enter the 2024 season as the NFL's third-highest-paid running back.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: PFN picks RB Jonathan Taylor as Colts bounce-back candidate